Should the Caps strip Ovechkin of the C if they get bounced by the 8th seed Leafs?

[PuckSeparator]

I know he scored yesterday but he hasn't been particularly noticeable besides that; he is getting visibly out hustled on the ice by a bunch of rookies. Something is going to have to give if the Caps lose to the 8th seed.

Barry Trotz is likely getting fired if this happens, but I don't think that will be enough considering that we heard this same song with different coaches at the helm in the past.

San Jose did it with Thornton when too much post season embarrassment became unbearable, do the Washington Caps have any other option in order to change the locker room culture and make it more conducive to post season success?

Click to read more...

 

[Montecristo]

No, they should fire trotz

 

[g00n]

He's got 15 shots and 2 goals in 3 games despite only being given 15min of ice time last night. That's worth stripping someone of the C?

 

[PuckSeparator]

He's got 15 shots and 2 goals in 3 games despite only being given 15min of ice time last night. That's worth stripping someone of the C?

They've won the president trophy 3 times since 2010, and 3 times they will have (should they lose this year) bowed out in pretty embarrassing fashion. He might score but he is far from providing the type of effort you need from your captain, shift in shift out. Compare this to a rook like Mitch Marner that is a back-checking demon out there and you could have the difference in this series.

We all heard that Ovechkin's goal totals this year were uncharacteristically down because he was playing a more complete game, on top of saving himself for the POs, but the display we see on the ice doesn't do that theory justice. The Leafs are simply out-working the Caps, and that usually is a leadership problem.

 

[BruinsNeedaRussian]

Are you asking if they should or just hoping they do?

 

[ChiHawk21]

ovechkin played great again ha toronto is a tough team and its not over yet.

 

[PuckSeparator]

Are you asking if they should or just hoping they do?

I don't care if they do... but there is obviously an issue in that locker room as they are not only down 2-1 but they have gotten outplayed and out hustled in all 3 games by an 8th seed.

 

[Taak19]

They've won the president trophy 3 times since 2010, and 3 times they will have (should they lose this year) bowed out in pretty embarrassing fashion. He might score but he is far from providing the type of effort you need from your captain, shift in shift out. Compare this to a rook like Mitch Marner that is a back-checking demon out there and you could have the difference in this series.

We all heard that Ovechkin's goal totals this year were uncharacteristically down because he was playing a more complete game, on top of saving himself for the POs, but the display we see on the ice doesn't do that theory justice. The Leafs are simply out-working the Caps, and that usually is a leadership problem.

The Caps had a good start but I believe Trotz put it best, the difference between the Caps and Leafs since the new year has only been 4 points.

They've gone to OT in 3 out of 3 games so far. How exactly is it embarrassing?

 

[PuckSeparator]

The Caps had a good start but I believe Trotz put it best, the difference between the Caps and Leafs since the new year has only been 4 points.

They've gone to OT in 3 out of 3 games so far. How exactly is it embarrassing?

It should have never even come to that from the team that many picked to win the SC? The Leafs have like 10 rookies on their team...

Also Trotz was only trying to down play expectations, a veteran coaching move that Babcock himself has used this season. And possibly posturing for his own survival down the line...

 

[TheBeastCoast]

The **** storm it would start over a letter is probably not worth it.

 

[Stealth JD]

there's a culture problem there and it appears nobody in that locker-room actually believes that they can win in the playoffs. it doesn't matter if they bring in more all-stars at league-minimum...there are too many mentally fragile players in that room and they apparently hit the ice expecting to lose.

Management is in a tough spot. You don't willingly tear down a top-seeded playoff team. But years and years of failure have proven that this club, with this core, can't get it done. If they confirm that truth again this year, it's crazy to think 'next year will be different'. I don't know if Ovie is the problem...but they're missing leadership with a 'refuse to lose' spirit to carry them deep.

 

[Hazu*]

I fully expect Ovechkin to play in the KHL very soon.

 

[BlueBaron]

Kind of feels like a an insult to the Leaf. Seeding means nothing, ask the LA Kings. Should everyone have fired their Captain the year they won the cup as an 8th seed?

Washington has issues but they also have a lot of FA's coming up. They can reinvent themselves and ditch their coach. Ovie is not the problem there and it would be poor form to alienate your franchise player by blaming all of this on him. Besides, the series is far from over so this is a bit premature.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Stripping the C won't do much. IMO if they fail again a serious shakeup is needed with a complete revamping of the core. Obviously Ovi won't/shouldn't be traded, but I would certainly be exploring offers for Backstrom/Oshie/Carlson, etc.

Something isn't right with that core.

 

[tacogeoff]

It should have never even come to that from the team that many picked to win the SC? The Leafs have like 10 rookies on their team...

Also Trotz was only trying to down play expectations, a veteran coaching move that Babcock himself has used this season. And possibly posturing for his own survival down the line...

They made the playoffs......Toronto with its rookies are a good team. I think it would be more concerning if the Caps were losing by multiple goals, every game has obviously been close. Andersen has been hot, made some very very key saves and sometimes that can be a big difference in a series.

 

[TMLegend]

Think they should trade him(if they can) if they happen to lose this series. Nothing against Ovechkin or the Capitals really, but sometimes change is needed to move forward. Right now all it seems all they're doing is shuffling chairs on a sinking ship. Coaches, GM's, role players have come and gone but the consistent pieces in all of their playoff disappointments have been Ovechkin, Backstrom, Alzner, and Carlson.

Maybe it's time to find a different boat.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Kind of feels like a an insult to the Leaf. Seeding means nothing, ask the LA Kings. Should everyone have fired their Captain the year they won the cup as an 8th seed?

Washington has issues but they also have a lot of FA's coming up. They can reinvent themselves and ditch their coach. Ovie is not the problem there and it would be poor form to alienate your franchise player by blaming all of this on him. Besides, the series is far from over so this is a bit premature.

If this were a one time thing then sure, but the Caps have not made it past the second rd with their core despite often being the favourites, including some bad collapses.

Although I agree with you, this series is FAR from over.

 

[sfvega]

Yes, and make Oshie the captain because I like him more and no other reason.

 

[Trapper]

Ovi isn't the problem. It takes a team to win the Cup. It takes the collection of players assembled to come together. Look at the Sharks. The Blues.
There are 30 teams in the NHL and since 2010 only 4 teams out of 30 have won it.
Chicago,Boston,LA,Pittsburgh. That's a lot of Captains to replace.

It takes the right depth. If the top lines cancel each other out, you need that depth to get you over the hump. That's why Pittsburgh didn't win between 2009 and 2016. It didn't come together. If it was easy, everyone would win it.

 

[BLONG7]

I know he scored yesterday but he hasn't been particularly noticeable besides that; he is getting visibly out hustled on the ice by a bunch of rookies. Something is going to have to give if the Caps lose to the 8th seed.

Barry Trotz is likely getting fired if this happens, but I don't think that will be enough considering that we heard this same song with different coaches at the helm in the past.

San Jose did it with Thornton when too much post season embarrassment became unbearable, do the Washington Caps have any other option in order to change the locker room culture and make it more conducive to post season success?

You are not even close..........this guy has been asked by his coach to change his game, and he has...he is a way better leader and captain now than previous seasons...

You have gone fishing, just a little early on this one...

 

[LeafsNation149]

Maybe the leafs are just a good team and everyone is finally realizing that?

 

[Tender Rip]

Suppose it kinda worked for San Jose when replacing Thornton with Pavelski. They made the finals at least.

Just not sure who they could make the guy when Ovechkin has been larger than life for that club for a decade+.
Backstrom is their best player, but is he that kind of leader that he can show a different, bigger side of himself in a new role?

 

[BLONG7]

Maybe the leafs are just a good team and everyone is finally realizing that?

No expectations, and no pressure...the Leafs are in a real good position...win or lose, they seemingly win...

 

[TOGuy14]

He's got 15 shots and 2 goals in 3 games despite only being given 15min of ice time last night. That's worth stripping someone of the C?

This isn't the first coach that thought the team was better with Ovechkin on the ice less during the playoffs...

 

[LondonKendrick]

Call the Leafs an 8th seed but it's basically a rookie team that left a bunch of points early in the year on the table blowing lead and was 1-9 in the pseudo hockey infantalized gimmick of 3 on 3/shootouts. In actual hockey the would be a 100+ point team. No shame in being in a series with them.

Maybe instead of stripping the C from Ovie, call out Shattenkirk for being absolute nothing in this series. Leafs 'thin' blueline is outshinning the Caps.